Panaji, Aug 5 (TNN): The police department has received a list from the health department of 74 alleged illegal spas/massage parlours operating in the state so that it can take necessary action against them.
Based on the complaint received, the health department had conducted an inspection of spas and massage parlours across the state and found 74 of them operating without a licence.
There are only 30 spas and one massage parlours registered in the state out of hundreds operating in different parts of Goa, most of which operate along the coastal belt.
Deputy inspector general of police K K Vyas told TOI, "Action as made out according to the law will be taken." Spas and massage parlours have got a bad name in the state for allegedly pushing prostitution and trafficking of women.
During the last couple of months, Goa police has initiated a drive against several massage parlours and spas for allegedly trafficking women under the garb of therapists. More than 15 raids were conducted in Panaji, Candolim, Calangute and other places where police rescued over 25 girls including foreign nationals and arrested several people including customers.
Arun Pandey, whose ARZ NGO works against human trafficking said that the number of girls in red light areas has reduced and, in keeping with modern days, massage parlours have become the centre of prostitution activities. Goa Salon and Spa Association (GSSA) expressed gratitude to the crime branch and police department for "weeding out" illegal establishments in a span of a few weeks.
GSSA spokesperson Sumeet Bhobe said that the health department is confused between illegality and irregularities. He also said that the police should be designated to check whether there are any illegalities taking place in spas and not the health department.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had shut down around 50 massage parlours and spas in the state for operating without consent to operate under the Water Act and Air Act.